Why is the cake important in this part of the scene? What things does it reveal about events that have gone on "off stage" as well as what does it reveal about the characters?

this is in diary of anne frank pages 325-327

There are a couple of reasons why the cake is so important in this scene:

- it is there to celebrate the beginning of a new year, January 1, 1944

- food was running out so this cake was celebrated even more because of that fact

- some inhabitants were caught stealing previously

Explanation:

What we don't see immediately is the distrust between the inhabitants. Because some of them were caught stealing, they were not trusted with cutting the cake fairly, which is why Mrs Frank had to do it. The tensions were high in the annex and the cake only aggravated those emotions. However, some inhabitants were happy because they hadn't seen a cake in a long time so it was a bit of a relief as well.